Reasons For

The optical zoom of a camera is a measure of how much the camera can zoom in to the subject using the camera's lens system. An optical zoom is superior to a digital zoom because the zoom is achieved using the optics of lens which means that the full extent of the digital sensor is always used to capture the image.

A larger optical zoom allows you to zoom in on the subject without having to move closer. Compared to a digital zoom, using an optical zoom does not result in a loss of image quality.

The Nikon Coolpix S6800 has a maximum focal length of 300mmmm, however the Sony DSC-QX10 is only a 250mmmm maximum focal length digital camera (50mm shorter).

A little better expert reviews

The average expert review score of the Nikon Coolpix S6800 is 71%, whereas the average rating of the Sony DSC-QX10 is 67% (based on 134 reviews).

Better user reviews

The average user review score of the Nikon Coolpix S6800 is 86%, whereas the average rating of the Sony DSC-QX10 is 81% (based on 241 reviews).

5 Reasons For

13% higher megapixel count
Edit

The Sony DSC-QX10 is an 18.2MPMP digital camera. That's 2.2MP higher than the Nikon Coolpix S6800 (18.2MPMP).
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The resolution of the images a digital camera produces is measured in megapixels (MP). One megapixel is equal to 1 million pixels and is a result of the pixel width multiplied by the pixel height of the image. While a higher image resolution generally results in sharper images, only a relatively low megapixel count is required when printing the image at a small size or to display it on a computer screen.

A sensor with more megapixels will be able to capture more detailed photos and the image will appear sharper. Images with more megapixels can also be printed at a larger size.

2.14MP more total megapixel count
Edit

The Sony DSC-QX10 is an 18.9MPMP digital camera. That's 2.14MP more than the Nikon Coolpix S6800 (18.9MPMP).

Reasons Against

6 Reasons Against

Lower megapixel count
Edit

The Nikon Coolpix S6800 is a 16MPMP digital camera. That's 2.2MP lower than the Sony DSC-QX10 (18.2MPMP).
Read more

The resolution of the images a digital camera produces is measured in megapixels (MP). One megapixel is equal to 1 million pixels and is a result of the pixel width multiplied by the pixel height of the image. While a higher image resolution generally results in sharper images, only a relatively low megapixel count is required when printing the image at a small size or to display it on a computer screen.

A sensor with more megapixels will be able to capture more detailed photos and the image will appear sharper. Images with more megapixels can also be printed at a larger size.

13% less total megapixel count
Edit

The Nikon Coolpix S6800 is a 16.76MPMP digital camera. That's 2.14MP less than the Sony DSC-QX10 (18.9MPMP).

The optical zoom of a camera is a measure of how much the camera can zoom in to the subject using the camera's lens system. An optical zoom is superior to a digital zoom because the zoom is achieved using the optics of lens which means that the full extent of the digital sensor is always used to capture the image.

A larger optical zoom allows you to zoom in on the subject without having to move closer. Compared to a digital zoom, using an optical zoom does not result in a loss of image quality.